LOS ANGELES – Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw will make his long-awaited return from the disabled list Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies, the final day of a 10-game homestand.

Kershaw, the three-time Cy Young Award winner, has been on the disabled list since May 6 with tendinitis in his left biceps. He played catch Sunday, one day after throwing four simulated innings against teammates at Dodger Stadium.

In seven starts before his injury, Kershaw was 1-4 with a 2.86 earned-run average.

“I’m happy for Clayton, just feeling healthy,” Manager Dave Roberts said. “Performing is one thing but if he feels healthy and strong, we’ll bet on the performance. As we’re playing better baseball, to add him to the mix is a really good thing for all of us.”

Saturday, Kershaw threw approximately 60 pitches over four simulated innings, facing Cody Bellinger, Chase Utley, Kiké Hernandez and Austin Barnes. A Kinatrax machine, which uses motion-capture technology to collect biomechanical data on a pitcher, was trained on Kershaw during the simulated game.

Kershaw said Saturday that he “felt good” during the 60-pitch test and “should be” ready to pitch in a game in another five days.

Roberts said the limit on Kershaw’s pitches or innings hasn’t been determined yet, but “I think he’s fine to go deep depending on how he’s throwing.”

The Dodgers were 12-17 after Kershaw’s last start, a loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 1. Buoyed in part by the return of third baseman Justin Turner, the Dodgers are 12-11 since then. They entered Sunday’s game against the San Diego Padres 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Colorado Rockies in the National League West.

“To get (Kershaw) back every fifth day is … to compare it to kind of having (Justin Turner) back on the position player front, is pretty comparable,” Roberts said.

Right-hander Aaron Nola is listed as the Phillies’ probable starter Thursday. Left-hander Alex Wood, who can start Thursday on normal rest, was listed as the Dodgers’ probable starter.

Now, Wood seems likely to start the series opener against the Rockies on Friday in Denver. Brock Stewart will take his second consecutive turn in the Dodgers’ rotation Monday against the Phillies. Roberts acknowledged that Stewart could shift to a long relief role once Kershaw returns.

Sinister development

Matt Strahm seemed like a curious choice to start a “bullpen game” for San Diego on Sunday. The left-hander had more walks (eight) than innings pitched (7 1/3) out of the Padres’ bullpen this season. He fared poorly in his only three career starts last year for Kansas City, going 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA.

But Strahm throws left-handed, and the Dodgers have reverted to their 2016 habit of struggling against left-handed pitchers. Through Saturday, they had a .662 on-base plus slugging percentage (.223/.306/.356 slash line) against lefties, compared to a .733 OPS (.240/.321/.412) against righties.

“To me it’s kind of a short sample to this point,” hitting coach Turner Ward said. “In 2016, there was maybe an angle we needed to change with certain hitters. From the short sample right now, it’s like getting ABs under your belt. We’re looking at two months in. To me it’s still evaluating and kind of seeing where those shortcomings are.”

Losing Seager to Tommy John surgery could stunt the Dodgers’ progress against lefties more than any individual effort can help.

“There’s a domino effect because as hitters we feed off each other,” Ward said. “That’s very important. It’s not necessarily about getting to hit, it’s the AB before. Maybe it allows the next guy, who is better in this situation against this type of pitcher. There’s a link in our lineup that was broken.”

Welcome back Kapler

Gabe Kapler will return to Los Angeles on Monday for the first time since debuting as the Philadelphia Phillies’ manager. Kapler was the Dodgers’ farm director from 2016-17.

“Gabe’s done a great job with those guys,” Roberts said. “It’s a fun team to watch. It really is. They can pitch. Position player-wise, they’re young, they’re athletic. It’ll be good to get him back. He still lives out here, obviously. I wish him well.”

The Phillies’ loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday left them at 29-21, a half-game behind the Atlanta Braves for first place in the National League East.